BARNES FAMILY

Major Update!!

2012-01-12T21:41:00.001-08:00

I have been a total slacker when it comes to the blog. I'm hoping to stay on top of it this year! We sure had a fun filled 2011. Check it out if you dare!!!

caves in logan

2012-01-12T21:40:00.000-08:00

We felt very adventurous and decided we would get in the car and go hike up in Logan to the wind caves! We invited Lincoln along for the ride. All three of them had to wear their U of U hats. What goofballs! We stopped at the nature trail before going up to the caves. It was really pretty the leaves had just changed color.

How cute are the three of them! The water was making me so nervous so we decided it was time to head up to the caves.

Ava had to stop and pose for a picture, while the boys where off going potty in the trees!

WOW!! What a hike!! The kids were real troopers to hike up the the very top! It is not an easy hike for adults let alone kids, but we would stop and rest then go on our way. It was so cool to be at the top inside of this wind cave. Ava told us that she is going to build her house here! Cash and Lincoln had fun gathering up rocks and sticks and Miss Jovi slept the entire time!

Me looking down at them.

hiking

2012-01-12T21:33:00.000-08:00

The weather here has been picture perfect so what better way then to go hiking to really enjoy it! I'm so glad that the kids love the outdoors it makes going hiking so relaxing. Its fun to hear them talk and what they think of nature.

Ava had to be the leader today since she has already been up here with Dad she knew the way.

Dave is honestly the great guy ever!! He carried Cash and Jovi most of the way.

Jovi's eyebrows crack me up!

Could not get him away from the drinking fountain. He just had to keep watering his feet!

Jovi 6 months!

2012-01-12T21:27:00.000-08:00

Little Miss Jovi is growing up so fast! Six months already. What a joy this little one is, who knew that she was exactly what we were missing around here! All jokes aside she is a wonderful addition to the family. She is a mix between both Cash and Ava. But, still looks alot more like my side of the family! Finally!! We love this girl. Here is my attempt at trying to be photographer!

Thanks to my friend Amanda for the adorable bloomers!!

These two are T-R-O-U-B-L-E!!! I can already tell that they will cause some mischief around here!

AWE!!! Look at those big brown eyes!!

halloween!

2012-01-12T21:21:00.000-08:00

We love Halloween around here! This year we all went as different things, normally we try to find a theme. Dave and I were gangsters from the roaring 20's! Ava was a witch, Cash a boxer (two years running, it just suits him so well) and Miss Jovi was a black cat. Most of the family comes over to trick or treat since we live in the best neighborhood ever!! I love trick or treating in our neighborhood there are masses of kids and families every where you look! Plus they start early which means they end early so no ones knocking on our door at 10 o'clock at night.

Dave and I looking so wonderful!!

Party of five!

Aunt La La, Grandma Jack, and a little black cat!

Ava's 6th Birthday!!!!

2012-01-12T21:15:00.000-08:00

Seriously!! Where did the time go?! Our Miss Ava Jae turned 6 on October 14! We love this girl so much! That doesn't even cover how we feel about her. She is our first, the one that made us parents. She has melted our hearts from day one. To sit and look back at her through out the years brings tears to my eyes. She is growing up so fast I'm so grateful to Dave for making it possible for me to be home with her every second of her life. I can honestly count the nights I have been away from her on my two hands. We are best friends according to her! and let be real, me too! She is an old soul in a young body for sure! The things that come out of her crack me up! I love hearing her giggle or sing down the hallway. I love watching her dance and tumble around on the floor. To hear her reading books to us floors me, and to hear her speak Chinese just about blows my mind! She is a great big sister who is always willing to help with Cash and Jovi. How lucky those two younger ones are to have two moms!! Ava we love you more and more every second of the day! We hope you had a wonderful birthday!

Ava can never wait to open presents. It has to be the first thing we do when we wake up no matter how early it it!

This year she decided to have a Halloween Witch party with her friends. I'm not the best party planner out there but I try my hardest! Plus, Ava is involved every step of the way. She even designed her own invitation after I thought I had it all done! Nope she made me change a lot of the design so it was just how she wanted it. We made mummy dogs, with apple bites and witches brew for dinner. And instead of cake she wanted two different kinds of cupcakes. One hairy spider chocolate cupcake and skeleton cupcake. Thanks to Aunt Mindee and Amanda for helping .

Here's all the witches! top row - Yazi, Ava, Mckenna, and Kinsley bottom row - Charlotte, Emi, Sophie, and Reagan.

Ava chose two games to play. Mummy Wrap Up and Guess Who.

You should have heard the giggling out on. They all had so much fun wrapping each other up.

They had even more fun tearing up and playing in all the crepe paper.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!!

For Ava's family birthday party we went to a local farm for a hay ride to pick out our pumpkins! This is the third year we have been doing this and it is the most fun ever! They have people hiding out in the fields so when you go around a turn on the tractor they jump out and scare you, It gets the kids every time!

Waiting in line for the next tractor.

Lincoln with Charlie, Koi, Rain, Ava with Jovi and of course Cash running around!

Seeing these two looking so grown up is crazy!! They are six weeks apart and the best of friends!

Loves from Grandpa Steve

Koi and Cash on the hunt for the perfect pumpkin! It seriously took them forever!

black island farm

2012-01-12T20:48:00.000-08:00

This outing kicks off our Fall/Halloween season. The kids have a blast running around , climbing, and riding!

Cash and Ava in the huge pumpkin bouncy house.

These are the best slides! They look so scary from the top! That is why the kids have to ride with Dad!

Dave teaching Cash and Koi how to rope.

Grandma Jack and Miss Jovi trying to stay cool in the shade.

How fun is this! Grandpa Steve, Grandma Jack and Cash.

Ava and Aunt Lauren

This is the first time we participated in the pig races. Funniest thing I have ever seen. Not just the pigs but how Cash reacted to the race! He ran on the outside of the track shouting at his pig! His pig won the race!! But they pick another pig because he ran inside the pin first. Oh well! It was still a blast and a fun way to end our day.

Cash waiting for the gates to open.

firestaion

2012-01-12T20:33:00.000-08:00

Aunt Blythe invited us to her local fire station for an evening of fun to see fire trucks, an ambulance, a helicopter, and a crash test simulator. We even got to ride in a fire truck! It was such a fun night with most of the cousins. Ava was at dance so she missed out on this one. We have no pictures of us in the fire truck because both cameras batteries died! and Aunt B doesn't know how to us my camera phone!!

Cash and Koi waiting so patiently in line.

Miss Jovi pulling faces at Grandpa Steve!

Snowbasin

2012-01-12T20:29:00.000-08:00

One of our most favorite place to go hiking with the kids is up to Snowbasin. The gondola ride is fabulous! We use to take Ava up here all the time.This was the first time we have ever taken Cash up the gondola or hiking. I was a little nervous because he has no fear I thought if there is a way to get the doors open while going up the gondola he would find it! But he was in heaven! He loved looking out the windows. When it came time to hike every two seconds it was "Hey! Look a tree! A Rock! A Stick! come on guys!" The whole way up! Ava and Cash never walked they ran the whole hike until we made them stop for a picnic lunch. Jovi did great! Slept most of the time in the snugly while Dave carried her.

So happy to be out and about.

Riding up the mountain. Cash can't contain all that energy!

Ava wanted to take our picture.

There they go!

Nothing beats a picnic in the beautiful mountains.

Tracy Aviary

2012-01-12T20:20:00.000-08:00

The kids have been obsessed with the movie "Rio" So over the weekend we went to the Tracy Aviary. I have always heard of how much fun it is, but WOW! It was amazing. We were some of the only guests they had this morning. We got there just in time to see the bird show (are fav at the zoo too)! Ava and I voluteered to be apart of the show, a beautiful toucan jumped across my arms to get a grape. Then it was Ava's turn to be a "tree" for a Turaco, cutest little green bird ever! Next we explored the owls, and followed a poor peacock around the park. The kids and Dave fed the pelicans and stood in awe of the Bald Eagle and golden eagles. It is so amazing to see their eyes light up with they see these birds. I love showing them new things.

Here's Ava trying to make the wings fly.

Ava the Toucan!

Heres that poor peacock! I felt so bad for him!

Almost had him!

Ava and Cash lunch for this hungry pelican.

Feeding the pelicans.

Go UTES!!!!!

2011-09-21T16:18:00.000-07:00

We love that the weather is cooling down, school is now in a groove, and college football is upon us!!! Saturday was the big rivalry game BYU vs. UTAH. I was raised a Utah fan thanks to my dad. But, Dave was actually raised a BYU fan since Grandpa Steve played for them back in the day. Somewhere along the way Dave saw the light and has been a Utes fan ever since. So its only right our kids follow our example! We normally have all the family over for the game but this year we kept it just the five of us. We wanted to sit with the kids and teach them about football. Ava was really into learning all about the game, she kept asking all these questions and then doing some pretty funny cheers! In the end it was a great evening, especially since Utah creamed BYU!!!

don't have a clue as to why Cash will not smile when a camera is out. In real life he is a smiley boy, I promise!!

Dave, Ava, and Jovi oh and do you see Cash rolling down the hill?!

1st day of SCHOOL!!!

2011-09-06T14:40:00.000-07:00

Wow!! Ava is in Kindergarten!!! How we have dreaded this day since we had her. Not really but kind of. It is a scary feeling knowing that we are starting our school years. We love Ava so much and we are so excited for this new adventure in her life. Ava is so lucky to participate in the Chinese Immersion program our elementary school offers. She spends half her day in English then the last half in Chinese. Her Chinese teacher doesn't speak a word of English in front of the students!Ava is so dang smart that she needed this extra challenge, can't wait to see her progress throughout the year. I went with her to orientation and her Chinese teacher had them speaking Chinese already!! She comes home so happy and loves telling us all about her day. I even walked into the kitchen the other day and she was teaching Cash how to say sticker in Chinese!

Our gorgeous daughter!

Ava picked out everything she is wearing, it took her a good 15 minutes to decide on what backpack she wanted! I love that she is so opinionated even if it does drive me a little crazy sometimes!

Ava giving Cash a hug and Cash trying to act too cool for it!

Mom and Ava. I was crying like a baby!

summer 2011 part 3

2011-08-30T15:55:00.000-07:00

We spent a lot of the summer outdoors. Dave and I use to go four wheeling all the time but the more kids we have the harder it is to go. So one Sunday Dave loaded the kids up and took them for a ride in the field behind our house. Nic was going crazy that he wasn't with the kids and Dave so he some how squeezed his way through the fence and up on the four wheeler.

Getting ready to go!

Poor Cash the only helmet that fits is Ava's old Princess helmet! Oh well safety first!!

Another way we spent our summer, being lazy!! The kids love to pull all the pillows off the sofa and make a big bed on the floor. They call it their nest. Its pretty much a daily occurrence.

Ava just loves having a little sister. She is always willing to hold her and Jovi doesn't seem to mind!

Jovi at 2 months. She is growing like crazy! She loves her bottles and loves to be around everyone. Her and Ava are very similar both love to be the center of attention!

Miss Jovi loves her tummy. She has her tummy time while the big kids are in the tub. She loves to watch them splash the water. Anything they do is hilarious to her. Look at those arm rolls! I seriously can't get enough of them!

Dave and the kids. All I need for a perfect evening!

We enjoyed some wonderful fireworks up at Weber State. The kids were so cute laying together.

Well, that pretty much sums up our summer. Like I said we spent a lot of time at Lagoon and the zoo. I did take pictures but they just didn't make it in the post. Ava thinks that Lagoon is the coolest place ever! She loves going with her cousins. Cash on the other hand... well lets just say he is finally warming up to it. As long as we cover his eyes on some of the wilder rides he is just fine. The zoo has been fun they have had dinosaurs there all summer, so of course the kids are loving that. We still see the bird show every time and love to watch the elephants enjoy the exhibit that Dave help build.

It sure has been a fun summer. I love that we could just be lazy and enjoy our time introducing Jovi to the family. Our first summer as a family of FIVE!! Wow we survived it!!

Good bye summer hello FALL!!!

Summer 2011 part 2

2011-08-30T13:41:00.001-07:00

While everyone was in town Dad had to get a family picture. So all 33 yeah that's right 33 of us met at the park for pictures. It was over pretty quick when you have five boys under the age of three and three babies under the age of six months. But it turned out great. What a great moment in our family at this time. It will be fun to look back on this picture.

Uncle Matt, Trevor and Grandpa Tom.

Look at those baby blues!! Ava and Kylie waiting for family pictures.

My sweet boy. He knows he is cute that's the problem!!

Cash just loves his power wheels. It really has been the best toy we have ever bought the kids. He rides it everyday until his battery dies. He drives it more then Ava ever has. He loves giving all his friends rides around the neighborhood.

Cash taking Gavin for a ride in his jeep. They had a blast!

Another one of Cash's favorites, Dave's long board. When he was smaller Dave would hold him while going on runs, now Cash sits on it while you push it down the drive way. He has his own skate board and he does stand on it but I have yet to find a helmet that fits his tiny head so I don't let him play with it very much.

We spent a fun afternoon with Grandma Vicky. We ate at The Pie (yummy) and then we headed over to Great Grandpa Close's house. Nate found Grandpa's Navy uniform, can't wait to see how they display it in their house. The kids had fun running around the backyard playing games. I sure wish Grandpa was still with us to see all of his grandchildren. Its so funny to look at Cash and see my grandpa in him. They share the same birthday and some of the same personality! They make alot of the same faces. I remember telling Dave that right after Cash was born he was making a grandpa face.

I use to do the same thing on the chain fence. I thought it was funny that Cash thought to do the same!

When my mom was five they made these imprints in the cement. Ava is five and her feet fit perfectly in my mom's impression.

Cash and Dave at Great Grandpa's house.

Ava, Owen, Grandma Jacobs, and Trevor eating at The Pie.

SUMMER 2011 part 1

2011-08-23T19:32:00.001-07:00

Wow! I can't believe summer is coming to an end. It has kind of been a blur since we had Jovi right at the beginning of our summer. We spent alot of time swimming, playing at Lagoon, and going to the zoo more then I can count! In july my entire family came over for a visit. We started the week off in Midway celebrating the 4th of July. Then it was back to our house I'm so glad the basement was finished so we had room to have my sister and brother and their families stay with us. We were able to meet Gavin and Trevor for the first time. We were able to see Jaxon since his open heart surgery, We ended the week blessing Miss Jovi. It meant so much to me to have all my family here. Jovi is the first one to have everyone from my side of the family in her circle. I love my family so much its hard to be away it makes these moments even better. Here are just a few of the highlights of our 2011 summer.

SWIMMING AT THE REC CENTER

Love the rec center! It has been the top spot to swim this summer. All three kids love the water and enjoy playing and splashing around. Aunt Bethany told us about this amazing life jacket. So we went out and found as soon as possible! Cash thinks its the coolest thing ever. The water slide was a huge hit. Even little Trevor was able to slide down.

Cash loves the water.my three little water bugs! Not a surprise Jovi loves the water.

Gavin and Cash running around the splash pad.

We spent the Fourth up at Midway. Its the first time since we have been married that we havent participated in the local festivites. It was kind of nice not so crazy. We enjoyed walking around the resorts, the guys played golf and we just relaxed. It was so gorgeous up in the Mountains, it was raining on the 4th but that didn't stop the fireworks.

Showing the kids how they should be reacting to our awesome fireworks!

A little nervous to give Cash a sparkler but the kid surprised us!

Ava watching the golfers go by.
LOVE!!! Such a sweet moment.
Grandpa Tom and Ava posing for the camera in Park City.
Dave golfing
Ava was in love with Gavin! She followed him everywhere.
Two little trouble makers! Cash was such a bad influence on Gavin.
So much fun to spend the 4th of July up in Midway. Here we are with Dad, Carla, Nate, Bethany and Gavin

A bat, a slip n slide and a snake

2011-07-01T20:04:00.000-07:00

Found this little guy on the front of the house. Shocked that he was out during the day. Dave was worried that something was wrong with it, but it flew off as soon as it got dark. I'm not use to seeing bats but I guess they are fairly common in these parts!

It took him awhile to get the hang of how to slide but now he loves it. The kid has no fear! Wonder were he got that?!

I love this picture, this is so how it is. Ava posing looking all cute and then there is Cash somewhere close by being our little monster! He slammed into her so hard they both went flying off into the grass!

"Snakes! Why does it have to be snakes!" - Indiana Jones

I feel you on that one Dr. Jones! The only thing that I hate about where we live is the snakes! In fact when we first moved in Dave wouldn't let me out back in fear that I would see a snake and go into pre-term labor with Cash! I hate the darn things. I scream and run to Dave when I do see one, and he always comes to my rescue! While we were outside on the slip n' slide Dave and I were chatting on the front steps and he casually goes into the garage puts on his gloves while still talking to me and walks by me, bends down and picks up this nasty snake. I can't believe how close it was to me! Ava hates them and wouldn't go near it, but leave it to Cash to be curious about it. He wanted to just look at him but eventually Dave talked him into touching it!

All I can say is, Cash better not pull the same stunts that Dave pulled on Grandma Jack or we might be selling a child!!

Ava Graduates!!!

2011-07-01T19:52:00.000-07:00

What a sad/happy day for us. Ava has been going to preschool for about 3 years. How luck we were to be reading a local magazine and saw the ad for JDS. Best thing we have ever put her in. Ava was so shy and scared to talk to anyone except family. But, her wonderful teacher Miss Marsha broke her out of her shell. I can't describe the love we have for Miss Marsha. She is the most amazing, most patient, most loving, most caring teacher ever. It was a highlight of the month to be able to go and help at school. She has taught Ava her ABC's, numbers, colors, shapes, math, and reading at a 1st/2nd grade level all before kindergarten! I know alot of it is what we do at home but it is sure nice to have a teacher who believes in the potential of these kids. Ava has made some wonderful friends she is so sad to be leaving them, but some are in the same dance classes as her. I'm so excited for Ava to move on in her schooling, come August she will start her Chinese immersion program in Kindergarten. The sky is the limit for Miss Ava Jae! Ava with Miss Marsha
Ava and her buddy Synae

Its late but here's Easter

2011-07-01T19:36:00.000-07:00

We didn't really go all out this year for Easter. I was on bed rest and just sick of being pregnat. We did dye eggs but I didn't even break out the camera. Oh well here's to next year!!! Egg hunt in the yard after church. Good Lookin kids!
Easter egg basket that the bunny left for Ava.

Cash wasn't awake yet!

Grandma Jackie's friend lets the kids come and visit the baby goats around Easter. We were in love with them, so cute. Ava loved holding them.

Cash loved this horse. He kept running back to him to either talk or try to feed him sticks that he would find!

Thomas the Train

2011-06-20T13:14:00.000-07:00

We decided at the last minute to go up to Heber City to see Thomas the Train. Cash isn't really into Thomas but he loves trains. We met up with Koi and his parents. Cash and Koi were so cute running around together. I love that they are so close, they get into so much trouble already. Kind of dreading the years to come!!! My favorite picture of the day. These two love each other so much and always have the others back.
Crazies running through the maze.

Getting his first tattoo!

Playing trains.

Ava was such a trooper. Luckily she found something that she liked, coloring!!

Aunt Blythe is the best ever and got the kids cotton candy! Cash had it all over himself. I was out feeding Jovi and I guess people were scared that he was going to touch them!! At one point he had a full on beard.

I'm glad we went up and experienced Thomas. It's so fun to see the kids play.

What to do on a rainy day?

2011-05-26T09:08:00.000-07:00

Go to Cabela's of course!! We are so sick of the rain! One day its sunny and warm then the next few days are cloudy and wet. my poor kids are so over it and so am I. It was a fun day inside. The kids did some target practice and looked at all the animals. Cash was so excited to see the zebra he was bummed that there isn't one at the Zoo. Dave helping Ava. She really wanted to shoot the snake.
Cash was in heaven with this game. He has an orange rifle just like this at home. Its one of his favorite toys to pester Ava with!

Cash loves fish. He has a pet beta named Oscar that he feeds and talks to every morning. I love when you ask him what fish do and his reply is "they just swim"

JOVI BARNES

2011-05-15T11:08:00.000-07:00

On May 2nd 2011 our beautiful little Jovi made her debut. It was a hard three weeks until that day. I was placed on bed rest at 36 weeks. My body was a little too ready to have her! It was torture!! Not only for me but Dave, he was so stressed and worried about us. I wish the Drs didn't say anything to us. But we made it through. I was scheduled to be induced on May 2. We went in they gave me my wonderful epidural and two hours later Jovi was here! Easiest delivery of the three.

I'm so lucky to have Dave is my life. He is so supportive and full of love towards me and the kids. He is the best ever, I wouldn't want any other to be the father to my kids. I love you, Dave.

Miss Jovi after her first bath. She is so beautiful! My parents kept telling me she looks just like I did. Fingers crossed that one out of three will look like me! ; )

I admit it was a very big surprise to find out we were expecting Jovi, but looking at all three of my children together I know she is a great blessing and addition to our family.

Finally my Dad was able to be here when we had Jovi. It meant so much to me to have his love and support along with my sweet step mom, Carla!

Proud grandpa! So cute!

Miss Jovi meeting Grandma Jack.

Great Grandma Mary.

I have so many pictures to blog, but right now all I feel like doing is holding this little bundle of love! So that's what I'm going to do!

A table and a fort.

2011-02-28T18:02:00.001-08:00

Finally after six years of using my parents old kitchen table we bought a new one!! I think the old table was as old as me! I remember eating there my whole childhood. The chairs have been recovered and moved numerous times. It was kind of nice to have such an old table I felt like the kids could do anything, paint, play dough, color, cook, etc. But after one of the chairs broke and we only had three left we finally decided it was time. I love it! It is a beautiful nine piece set. It has been so nice to walk into the kitchen and see the new improvement! So beautiful!!
As you could imagine we had about five boxes after putting the table together, so what better way to use them then as a fort! We made the fort yesterday morning and it is still up! It even has a slide! I love how a box can bring so much joy to the kids and even me!!!

Snow

2011-02-28T17:57:00.001-08:00

More snow fell last Sunday. Not too happy about that one! But the kids love it. They have so much fun while Dave pulls them around on the sled. I love that they ride like this! So funny!!!
Ava loves to make snowballs.

AVA and CASH

2011-02-19T17:19:00.000-08:00

Everyday with these two I laugh hysterically. I love that their love for each other is growing. They love to play, share, and hang out with each other. Cash always tells Ava "Bye Sissy love you have fun!" when we drop her off at school every morning. I think its every parents dream to have their children be close and loving towards each other. I know how much I love my brothers and sister and how much fun growing up with all of them was. It will be interesting to see how things go once the baby arrives. Not kidding Ava pulled Cash around the house for a good 2o minutes! He was laughing nonstop. I should have strapped a rag to him and let them mop the floors!!
He was so exhausted after church. he is trying so hard to go to nursery. Once we get to the outside of the door he looks at me and says "I go home now"

They love cuddling in bed trying to wake up Dad. They think its so funny that he can sleep through anything.

14 Days of LOVE

2011-02-19T17:04:00.001-08:00

We started this fun tradition called "14 days of Love" last year. We start on February 1st thru the 14th. I'm not very crafty so I bought our Valentine bags at Target in the dollar bins. Each day there are new love notes from all of our family members. its so fun for the kids to read Valentines from family members who live far away. They also get a fun little toy or treat in their bag. Dave and I also get in on this but I have different little love questions to answer. Its a fun way to celebrate the holiday. Before kids I didn't really care about silly holidays like Valentines but its fun to decorate and spread some extra love. Valentines Day morning we made chocolate chip heart shaped pancakes. Cash couldn't wait to eat his!
This year Dave and I had an agreement that we wouldn't spend more then $5 dollars on each other. I made him a cute scrapbook "10 Things I Love About You." But like always he goes above and beyond. I was having a really bad day and he left his busy Saturday working in the basement to surprise me with a dozen chocolate covered strawberries. I was shocked. It was such a nice early gift. I love Dave so much and all he does for me. I fall more in love with him everyday. HAPPY LOVE DAY!!!

Train Station

2011-02-07T09:52:00.000-08:00

We spent Saturday morning at the Ogden Train Station. We had so much fun with Koi, Blythe, and Grandma Jack. We left Dave and Grandpa Steve at home working on the basement. Cash and Koi are obsessed with trains! It was so much fun watching them run around looking at everything. Ava had fun listening to Grandma tell her of the days when Grandma went there when she was little. I'm glad Blythe and Grandma were there to help chase Cash for me I'm a little slow these days! I was trying so hard to get Cash to stand by this sign and smile but I should have known that wasn't going to happen. But I think this shot turned out super cute.
Don't get me wrong Ava loves train too!

They have miniature trains sets that go all over the place. Cash would squeal in delight when he saw them going around the track.

Ava riding in the caboose. She thought that was pretty cool to sit so high up.

Ava, Cash, and Koi sitting on a passenger train.
We will defiantly be headed back there with Dave. The kids can't wait to show him everything.

Dentist

2011-02-07T09:43:00.000-08:00

Cash had his very first dentist appointment last week. I have never had to much anxiety before! Ava was the best big sister, she was telling him all about what they would do and how much fun it is. I'm glad he will listen to her because it went perfectly! At their dentist parents aren't allowed back with the kids while they are being worked on. Ava went back first for x-rays and her fluoride treatment, then the assistant came for Cash luckily I was able to go back for his first time. We watched as the dentist looked and counted Ava's teeth. Cash actually sat on the assistants lap to get a better view. When it was his turn there were a few tears but it was over quick.

I'm so glad that our friends recommend Dr. Aaron Christensen to us. He turned our whole outlook on dentists after Ava's drama with her front tooth. So much that Ava wants to be a dentist when she is older.

CASH turns 2!!

2011-02-07T09:29:00.001-08:00

Cash was a very lucky boy this year he had four different parties!! But not so lucky that I didn't have a working camera at all parties. My hope is by the time we have this new little one that problem will be solved. Anyway, I still can't believe that my little man isn't so much of a little man anymore. He is TWO!! Cash is so different at this age then Ava was. I know alot of that has to with me here I was thinking he was my last so I really baby him. But, we are working on that and he really is the sweetest boy ever. He is so smart he reminds me so much of Dave. His smile and love that he brings into our family is incredible. Grandpa Tom and Cash. Two of my most favorite people in the world! I wish Grandpa lived closer so he can hang out with Cash more. I love to call him up and tell him all the funny things Cash has been up to.
Here is our family photo. Cash was so hot look at those cheeks!!

I'm really so blessed to have Cash in my life and in our family. He is so full of love and ciaos that it keeps me sane in a very weird way!
Thanks to everyone who helped celebrate.

2010 Wrap Up

2011-01-03T09:42:00.001-08:00

I haven't been very good about blogging. Plus, I get all frustrated with uploading my pictures. I put blogging on the back burner and when I find an extra mintue I try to update.

So here is our December update! We had such a wonderful holiday season. My sister in law and I did the whole black friday shopping so I had Christmas shopping done all in one night! It was so much fun and my sister in law is the best! We were really able to just relax and enjoy all the parties in December. We started the month off with Ava's Christmas Concert. She sang three Christmas carols with her pre-school class, then she danced to "What's This" from Nightmare Before Christmas(one of her favs!) One part of her dance she had to kissed her little friend Mason on the cheek! She was so nervous to do that. She told me about two weeks before her concert that they were doing that in the dance and she made me promise not to tell Dave because she was worried that he would be mad at her since she promised Dave she wouldn't kiss boys! But, it was really cute and Dave didn't mind. Dave turned 28 on the 20th. I gave both kids 15 dollars to buy Dave a present. Cash picked out a new mirror for the shower with a little help from me! Ava wanted to buy Dave a new shirt. So off we went to the mall. Dave is the hardest person to shop for. So I was getting alittle frustrated that we couldn't find anything, so under my breath I just said "OH Dad wouldn't be caught dead in any of this." and just then a sales women came up to us and asked how we were and Ava looked at her and said " Oh my Dad wouldn't be caught dead in any of this." I started laughing so hard but the lady didn't seem to happy by that comment and just walked off. We had a fun night celebrating Dave's birthday. We went down to Zoo lights on Christmas Eve and had so much fun with Koi, Blythe, Dustin, Lauren and Grandma Jackie. Dave had Cash and Koi throwing snow balls at all of us it was so funny, and WOW can they throw! Ava is quite the singer and would sing all the Christmas music she heard. Christmas morning started bright and early. I had my alarm set for 6:00 since they normally get up around 7:00. But no at 5:50am I heard Ava go "Merry Christmas Cash!" and Cash said "Hi Sissy! Alitte help here get out bed." So sweet they are to each other. They came in our room and watched a movie until Grandma Vicky and Val got to our house. They were so patient to wait an hour. Here is Cash all tuckered out Christmas day. He fell asleep at 6:00pm and woke up at 8:00am.
Ava was so excited to get new Barbies.

Cash had a new skateboard. Now all we need is the helmet, he has such a little head we can't find one that fits. Hopefully by spring we will!

Santa brought Cash this awesome train table. He was glued to it all morning! Ava opened up the rest of his presents.

Here we are at the Zoo.

Cash eating the Gingerbread House

Snuggled up reading after a long day.

Ava with her friends from school. There are three classes in this picture. She only has eight kids in her class.

Cash trying his hardest to sit and be patient while waiting for Ava's concert to start. He did like watching the girls dance!

That pretty much sums it up! I know its a little frazzled but at least its updated! Here's to a New Year full of memories!

Cash

2010-12-09T17:51:00.000-08:00

Before it started to snow the field behind was mowed one more time. Cash spent all morning out there watching the tractor. This picture is just Priceless!

Pumpkin Patch

2010-11-12T14:43:00.000-08:00

Almost the whole family was able to go to the pumpkin patch this year. We had a fun night picking our pumpkins, eating pizza and watching the Utes play. Look at this bunch! We're a good lookin' crew!!!
My two little pumpkins! Cash was just amazed at how many "punkins" there were.

Here's our family photo for the year! ; ) We were going to get some taken this fall but then baby number three decided that he/she was needed so hopefully next year!!!

Uncle Mike showed the kids how it was done back on the farm. They all had hay in their mouths!
Isn't it adorable how Cash and Rian have their arms around each other? They are such great buddies.

Love this picture.

A WHOLE HAND!!!!

2010-11-12T11:52:00.001-08:00

This has been along time coming. I had the hardest time with Ava turning 5. She has turned into everything I could ever imagined she would. Ava is my "best buddy" as she puts it! These past 5 years have been full of so my memories here are just a few.... Here is my sweet Ava Jae Barnes on the day she was born all 8lbs 15oz of her! I had the easiest pregnancy with her and a very nice easy labor. I will never forget when everyone left us alone we looked at each other and smiled. I will never forget a single second of that day. It changed our lives forever.
Ava on her 1st birthday! What a fun birthday, I made her a very cute monkey cake that she wanted nothing to do with! She licked the frosting alittle bit but then she was over it.

Lucky girl to be able to celebrate her 2nd birthday with the Jacobs side of the family. We were all in Denver for Bonnie and Wes's wedding. Ava loves her colorado cousins!

Ava turned 3 in Disneyland!! Our first family vacation and we went all out and headed to Disneyland! What a fun time I had showing Ava and Dave all around my favorite place. Ava wore a special birthday pin at the parks everyone would tell her Happy Birthday she thought she was extra special!

4 years old! This year marked the first friend party. Ava chose to have a Under the Sea party. Grandma Vicky made an awesome mermaid cake!

A Whole Hand!! About 8 months before her birthday Ava started to say "When I turn a whole hand I'm...." It has been one of the funniest things that girl has said to us! I love that she is so smart to realize that 5 and a whole hand are one in the same. As soon as she woke up on her birthday we had to open presents, she just couldn't wait any longer

Birthday spankings!

Ava surprised me this year when she asked for a dinosaur party. Ava is very girlie but she loves her dinosaurs. We had a family party at the Dinosaur Museum. Of course my camera decided to die that day so this is the only picture I have of her at her party.

We love you Ava. You have the sweetest personality, the most gentle heart, and a fierce stubborn streak! You have made our lives so much better. We are so proud of the amazing girl you are growing into. All our love Mom and Dad.

Black Island Farm

2010-10-08T12:16:00.000-07:00

October couldn't have come fast enough for us Halloween lovers in this family! Ava was so excited that we put up our decorations the last week of September. I know we are crazy here in this house. If Ava had it her way it would be Halloween all year long. So when Aunt Blythe invited us to Black Island farm we were thrilled! We went the very first day they opened, it was perfect we were the only ones there. The kids had the run of the place. They had a huge pumpkin bouncy house, a train, corn maze, enormous slides, swings and animals. We are actually headed back this weekend with the whole family to go on the hayride and get our pumpkins. Ava and Koi in the bouncy house. I'm so glad they were the only ones in the bouncy house. its scary enough with the three of them in there I couldn't imagine bigger and more kids with them.
Cash going down the slide. Normally he thinks he has to stand up while sliding but he did pretty good here.

We tried so hard to get all three at the top of the slide holding hands but that didn't happen! This is as close as it came.

Ava in the corn box. I love this so much more then sand!

Cash, Ava, and Koi riding the train. At first Ava didn't want Cash to ride with her, but then she was so sweet and told Cash she would ride with him to keep him safe! My heart melted just a little. : )

My two rockstars!

Look at this slide its HUGE! Grandma Jack, Blythe, and Dave were brave to take the kids on this.

Dave and Cash at the bottom of the slide. Looks like fun boys.

There were two pony swings and......

This shark swing! I have never seen a tire swing like this!

It seems we have fun activities planned every weekend in October, I love it! Last week we went to this cute train station with tiny trains just for the little ones. But like normal I didn't have my camera or my phone! Good thing Grandma Jack, and Blythe are so on top of things!!On the 16th we are having Ava's 5th birthday party! I can't believe I will have a five year old. I'm having a hard time with that one!!!

BIG news around here!

2010-10-07T13:11:00.000-07:00

Dave and I decided that we were done having kids. We have a beautiful daughter and a crazy yet handsome son. I knew I was done when everyone else around me was getting pregnant friends, sister, sister in law. I didn't get the feeling of "OOH I want another one." I was happy with the two little ones I have what else could we ask for right? WRONG!!! Despite being on birth control we still manged to have a little surprise, or should I say BIG surprise!! I took two at home tests and they both came up positive. I still wanted to be sure and go to the Dr because I was sure the tests were wrong. They took a test at the Dr's office and they told me it was negative. The nurse asked if I was OK with that and my answer was "yes" My Dr reassured me that if I was taking my pills I couldn't get preggo. So I get home tell Dave and start making lunch when all of a sudden my phone rings, guess who? The nurse called me back and said this to me " I was needed on the phone with a patient before I cleaned up your test and when I turned around I noticed that your test was positive" I was speechless. I had to go back in for blood work to get a for sure answer. We had to wait 24 hours until we would have the results. That was a killer! Very tense in our house as you could imagine. I was at the park with my wonderful friends when I got the news that I was 100 percent pregnant. I was floored! Now I had to go home and tell Dave that yep we are having another one. After the shock wore off about a week and half later we couldn't have been more excited about this baby. We figured our first was a surprise and look at how beyond amazing she has turned out. I started feeling like crap right off the bat. I have been so sick from about 11am until I went to bed at night. I also started to notice things that shouldn't start happening until later on in my pregnancy. I went in for my standard 8 weeks check up everything looked great, until the ultrasound!!! My Dr and I both got very quite as we noticed TWO babies!! My heart started racing until I heard these words " looks like one baby has died but the other one is perfect with a strong heartbeat." Then my heart stopped I just couldn't comprehend that. My Dr explained to me that that is very common but kind of rare since I was on birth control to get pregnant at all let alone with twins. I think I was in shock because it really didn't hit me until a couple of days later. I had lost a baby. I was such a wreck. I was heart broken that my baby was gone and I was so certain that something would happen with the other baby I wouldn't sleep and was so emotional about it all, until my wonderful husband put his arm around me and said "This baby is meant to be our family and we will have three beautiful children." I don't know why that made everything better but it did. I love Dave for always being there for me and saying just what i needed to hear. My all day sickness doesn't hit me as early but I have still been pretty sick, but I couldn't have asked for better family and friends who take good care of us. So that is our BIG news story. May 8Th can't come fast enough! I can't wait to meet this little one who was so determined to be with us.

Back to SCHOOL

2010-09-10T11:07:00.000-07:00

Ava's first day of school! She had to wear warm clothes since it was raining and cold. She loves this jacket and jeans so thats what she wore. So cute!!!
Cash was trying to escape! Sorry dude nothing gets past me!!!

After her first day Ava was off to her play group. When she came home it was straight into her jammies and she passed out on the couch.

Labor Day Weekend

2010-09-10T10:17:00.000-07:00

Last minute trip to Denver over the holiday. I couldn't have been a better get away! It was so nice to see Matt and his family, plus Bonnie and her family and Dad and Carla. I would have been great if Gavin and his parents were there. We flew out Saturday afternoon, I was a little worried about flying with Cash, he has to move! But, Ava showed him how to open and close the shade over the window and look out, he loved that until he discovered the trays on the back of each seat, luckily there was a little boy his same age in front of him. We ran into some turbulence and that put CASH out. Ava is such an awesome traveler, she has been flying since she was one month old! The kids love to ride the train at DIA. It was so funny they were riding in the stroller but they still held on to the poles while the train moved! We spent our visit playing rockband, going to church, watching movies, going to the Denver Zoo, playing at Mcdonalds, cuddling with Nala and Nicodemus,loving on Owen and relaxing with Nietos. I love my family! Dad loves using the timer on his camera! He had us all climb up this hill and get ready while he placed the camera on a trash can! Seriously so embarrassing!!
Dad with his three gorgeous granddaughters.

Heres the manly men! Jax, Cash, dad, Luke, and Nicodemus.

This is the morning we flew out. I couldn't get enough of these two dogs. I love them!! Bonnie and Wes have done such an amazing job training these two. The best behaved dogs ever!

Alyssa, Kylie and Ava playing at the park.

Dad pushing Ava and Cash on the swings. I think Dad did 100 underdogs that night.

Cash and Jax at the zoo

Ava loving Nala.

I'm in Love

2010-08-23T07:19:00.000-07:00

Dave and I really wanted to take Ava to see THE LION KING on BROADWAY. So when we found some tickets at the right price we couldn't pass it up. I took Ava shopping to get a brand new dress, she picked this out, she has such an eye for fashion! I did have to cut it apart and sew it so it would fit her, dang her she is just a petite little thing! What a special night to spend one on one time with her. I feel really bad that she doesn't have me all to herself like she use to. It was a night we will both remember. She can't stop talking about. I love my Miss Ava Jae!!

All the loves of my life. I'm so lucky to have these peeps in my life. I love them all more then any of them can imagine.

Oh Cash! I think he loves his bouncy more now then he did when he was little. He was getting some serious air bouncing on this, it scared me so he can only use this on the carpet!

Isn't this how you mow your lawn?

2010-08-22T20:33:00.000-07:00

We make yard work a whole family affair. Cash loves to help mow the lawn, most of the time he helps push, but I think he was running out of steam so what better way to finish then hitchin a ride on Dad's back.

Jacobs Cousins came to town!!

2010-08-22T20:16:00.000-07:00

We were so excited for our annual visit from the Jacobs Family. We had a fun weekend planned. We spent an afternoon at the Tree House Museum.All the cousins in a TeePee.

The best part of our day at the museum was story time. All the big kids were chosen to be apart of the story. What better story then Allosaurus the Dinosaur. If you know these kids it fit perfectly!!! Jaxon was the main dinosaur, he had the best ROAR!!!

Miss Ava as a dinosaur

Off to the knights table. The kids dressed up and pretended to be royalty!

All Cash did was run around like crazy. So lucky that Grandma Vicky and Aunt Candace were there to help keep an eye on Ava while I was chasing the little bugger! He did find a drinking fountain that occupied his time, but running + water = throwing up!! Don't worry he was fine.

Cash also liked this giant chess set.

Next, we were off to Grandma Vicky's place to ride the horses!! We had fun BBQing and horseback riding. All these kids are big animal lovers. They were pros at riding.

Heres two of our cowgirls. Kylie was able to get new boots this year, very fancy!

Love this picture! It does make me sad that we live so far away from these loves.

Kylie the cowgirl. Kylie has been taking riding lessons and it showed she didn't even need the lead rope. Wow how she has grown, I remember when she was a little tiny baby how in love with her I was and still am. I was so blessed to be able to spend so much time with her and watch her grow, she has grown into the most beautiful girl with the best attitude. I have to thank her for blessing me with the love for children if it wasn't for her I don't think I could have had the confidence to take care of my kids. Kylie truly is an amazing girl. I love you Ky Ky!!

After going to the rodeo, Ava wants to be a "Whoopie Girl" They are the girls who ride around with flags with the sponsors logos. Grandma Vicky made her a flag to practice with.

Cash LOVED riding! He doesn't cry but he would when his turn was over. Who ever thought that Dave would be on a horse?! He would do anything for his kids.

All three girls riding Jake.

Owen came to visit!!!!!

2010-07-26T15:31:00.000-07:00

When Bonnie called a few weeks ago and said that they had a lay over here on their way to California I jumped at the chance to meet my nephew for the first time! I can't express how proud I was of my sister, to see her with Owen is so amazing. She has always been the BEST aunt ever, now she is a wonderful mom! Owen is the sweetest baby. He loved watching Ava's every move. He is so handsome, you look at Owen and he is a mini Wes! Love that the boys look so much like their daddy's. It was only a very short visit but I'm in love! I can't wait to see them again, hope to see them before Bonnie has baby #2 in February. We love you Nieto Family!!

Me with the "cute chubby guy"(thats what Ava calls him!)

Only picture I could manage of the three kids.

Ava, Grandma Vicky, and Owen

Cash was getting jealous that my attention was elsewhere.

It was hard entertaining Cash, with escalators around. Good thing Wes was there to chase after him when he made his way but the escalator! So we found something else to entertain him.

My gorgeous sister and me! Man, I miss her, she is my best friend its so hard to be away from her especially when she is having these adorable babies! We have come along way since our days living in the Avenues!

For once Ava didn't want to be in pictures so I gave her the camera and this is one of her shots.

Earning his keep.

2010-07-26T15:21:00.000-07:00

I would love to let this guy get away with anything, but when he decides to spill the dog water everywhere I pull out the mop and have him pre-mop my floors for me. He actually enjoys helping me clean. After all his hard work....

Its off to the bath, then some yummy chocolate covered pretzels(I know I suck as a mom!) with some milk and his Lighting McQueen chair.

It was bound to happen........

2010-07-21T20:33:00.000-07:00

Well Cash did it...

he went and turned 18 months old on me!!! This picture captures him to a T! He is pure joy and happiness every second of the day. He rolls with the punches with a smile on his face. He is growing so fast that I feel like if I blink he is going to be 18 and headed off to college. Grandpa Steve cursed Dave "One day I hope you have one just like you!" From day one Cash has been Dave's mini me. I love it! Cash just screams BOY!!!! In everything he does from playing, eating, walking, talking, and eating dirt. I really don't know what we would do if we didn't have this little man here turning our world upside down. I lose count on how many times I have to change his clothes due to him being so messy. All he needs is to be outside with the hose, the joy that gives him is unreal! He loves his ducky with all his heart, he will burrow his head into ducky then flip him around and chew on his feet. He loves brushing his teeth, he loves wearing his hat but it has to be slighty on the side, he loves pushing Ava's buttons, I wish you could hear the evil laugh he does when he knows he is bugging the crap out of her! He loves his Daddy, he just wants to be glued to Dave's hip it doesn't matter what Dave is doing he wants in on it. He loves his mama he looks at me with that smile of his and I melt. I ask him to do something and he will look at me with a smile then do what is asked of him. What an amazing attitude to have in life.

If you haven't been able to hang out with this kid you are missing out on the coolest kid ever! We love you to pieces C-Money!!!!!
(sorry for all the exclaimation points, I just love him!)

Fourth of July!!!

2010-07-21T17:45:00.000-07:00

We had such a fun holiday weekend. We spent our mornings at parades, afternoons eating ice cream, evenings enjoying fireworks.I couldn't resist buying this for Ava, its so her!!!
A Ava going down the bouncy slide! Her favorite.

Lincoln and Ava eating yummy Pace's Popsicles-a must at the parade! Aren't they adorable!

Favorite picture of the day. Ava and Koi watching the parade together. They are such good buddies!

Ice cream from Cold Stone!!!

Cash figured out the Pop Its!

Fireworks at Layton City. Both kids loved the firework show. The finale was wonderful.

HAPPY FOURTH!!!!

LAGOON, Its what FUN is!!!!

2010-06-22T20:05:00.000-07:00

Our wonderful friends gave us passes to Lagoon! Dave and I were pretty excited, neither one of us has been there since high school! Ava was so excited, but it took Cash awhile to warm up to it. First, ride was Bulgy the Whale. Ava kept her arm around Cash the entire time, what an awesome big sister.

Dave and Ava on the Flying Aces. This was Dave's favorite as a kid, and it is also Ava's favorite now.

Ava and I went back in the evening to experience Lagoon at night all lite up. Ava had a story about every ride, why we were on it and what we were doing. She made it a very fun evening.

Ava said that driving this car was a blast. She now thinks that she needs to drive all the time!

All the Girls Say I'm Pretty Fly For A White Guy!!!

2010-06-02T20:40:00.001-07:00

Cash loves to wear his trucker hat but it has to be worn to the side. Not sure its helping to keep the sun off his face! Anyway, he was wearing it all weekend like this and Offsprings song was just on repeat in my head when I would look at him! He is so beyond cute it just kills me.

He are my two trouble makers! You will always find these two outside in kahoots!(not sure about the spelling!) Cash loves to pull the hose out to water the trees and garden, Nic is right there helping. Look at those faces! Up to no good!

St George for Memorial Day Weekend

2010-06-02T20:33:00.000-07:00

Sophie and Ava
Our friends the Anderson's invited us to St. George for the weekend. We had so much fun. Dave was able to golf and the rest of the time we played at splash pads.

Cash normally loves the water, but the fountains here were huge. So he hitched a ride with Dad.

We had so much fun swimming with the kids.

Ava's Spring Recital

2010-05-24T19:56:00.000-07:00

Ava has worked so hard this spring on her new dance routine. She was so excited when she learned it was to Michael Jackson's Beat It, Billie Jean and Thriller. All the kids in her class are HUGE fans. There was big drama one day at school when one of the kids said he didn't like Michael Jackson.

Ava was definitely born to dance. Even at soccer games she is out there practicing her routine by doing the robot or a zombie walk not even paying attention to the soccer ball. All of us who know Ava know she is a rising star!! She doesn't get shy up on the stage I think she is actually pretty comfortable up there. We just love this girl so much, I don't think I will ever get tired of watching her. She is so expressive it just kills me. A big thanks goes to Aunt Mindee for fixing Ava's hair, she looked beautiful and for watching Cash for us so we could give all of our attention to Ava, Grandma Vicky, Val. Grandma Jackie, Aunt Blythe, Koi, and Aunt Lauren for watching her dance her heart out. Thanks for loving her.

This video makes me smile. Dave and I have watched it almost everyday since her recital. Wait for the zombie walk, it is AWESOME!

Cutness factor is off the charts!!!

2010-05-23T20:37:00.000-07:00

These Kiddos of mine just seem to get cuter every second. Here are some recent pics of the monkeysCash Rockin his Mickey Mouse outfit.

Could not believe my eyes when Dave bought this for him. He is so not into dressing our son in character clothing. But when it comes to Disney I'm turning him!! For months Ava has begged me to let her have a chin length bob. I couldn't do it, but she finally wore me down. She looks like she is six!

We found these cute trucker hats at the mall. Ava loves it and wears it everyday. Wait until you see Cash in his, TO DIE!!! he just doesn't sit still long enough for a picture.

Random

2010-05-08T13:07:00.000-07:00

We by "we" I mean Dave put in our gate on the side of the house. Cash sat right by his side assisting Dave. Cash ate so much dirt!!! So when I would tell him "NO" his little lip quivered and the tears would swell up in his big hazel eyes he was so mad at me so for the rest of the day this is how he would look at me. "Sure take away all my fun Mom!" The kid lives for the outdoors. He brings me his shoes first thing in the morning so he can get out there and play. If only the weather would get on board.

Work boots CHECK

Safety glasses CHECK

Work gloves CHECK

Broom and dust pan CHECK

We are finally tearing down our bold, bright, tacky blue/light blue/navy/cream/red tile back splash!!! So excited for this, our kitchen was the one room in our house that just didn't feel like us. So my wonderful hubby with the help from his little apprentice got to work. Stay tuned for after pics.

I love this girls style!

After Ava soccer game we went with Koi, Blythe, Grandpa Steve, Grandma Jack, and Grandma Vicky to visit Grandma Jackie's friend at her little farm. We saw the cutest baby goats, chickens, turkeys, and horses. Cash found himself a new place to live!! In classic Michelle form my batteries died so I didn't get every many pictures. It is always a blast to hang out with Koi. He has the best vocab and says the funniest things. We just love him.

(Tommie, Copper, Cash)

Too cute not to put this picture up. It is so amazing to see these handsome boys together. They are all so freaking cute!!! Can't believe how much they have all grown.

I love that my Dad still acts like a kid around the grand kids. Cash LOVES Grandpa Tom. This picture is priceless!!

Ava's Soccer Debut

2010-04-14T14:53:00.000-07:00

Tuesday night was Ava's first soccer game ever. She did awesome. She is so dainty it might take her a few weeks to start feeling comfortable out on the field. I sure do love her willingness to get out there and try something new that she has never done or seen anyone else do. I can sure learn a lot from her.

Getting ready to start.

Lincoln plays with his cousin Braden at the same time Ava does. It was fun to go between games and cheer these little ones on.

Not a whole lot to blog about

2010-04-07T15:11:00.000-07:00

Its not like we haven't been doing anything

The rest of spring break we relaxed

There was dyeing of the Easter eggs

Four egg hunts to be apart of

Another trip to the zoo

And Everyday living....

I have to brag, Ava saw how hard Dave has been studying and ask me if she could write him a love note

I spelled the words as she wrote them down. So proud of her she is constantly wanting to

write things down. Way to go Ava!

Almost everyday Cash gets all his trucks out and lines them up at the window sill. He is so patient I think he gets sick of all the girlishness in our house and is trying to pass time until Dave gets home.

"Mom I'm just going to go get some make up on before we go to the store."

"OK Ava but not to much just your princess make up."

"OK Mommy."

Somehow she found the Halloween make up instead!

Nic's hair cut. I love when he gets groomed. I'm not used to having a dog with lots of hair. I have to

admit I love on him a little bit more when he is clean shaven!! They did shave his tail this time which we normally don't have them do. It took him a few days to get over the shame. So funny that he can tell the difference.

Well that pretty much sums up the past couple of weeks. There will be more to come with Ava starting soccer next week, our 5 year anniversary, my birthday, Nic's birthday (Ava won't let us forget that one) and the best ever on April 27th i will say goodbye to the braces!!!!

Spring Break!!! So far.....

2010-03-17T21:17:00.000-07:00

Since we realized that Dave's spring break was this week we thought that we would just spend time together as a family and not be stressed out with school. So we started off the week with a nice Sunday morning walk. We have a creek that runs through the neighborhood, the kids love to walk or ride bikes to it and throw rocks in. I love that Ava is so willing to help Cash. She would find rocks and take them to him. They could spend hours doing this and Dave and I could spend hours watching them!

Off to the Zoo!! This was Cash's first time!! He loved the elephants they were eating hay from the umbrella that Dave fabricated for the zoo. Cash couldn't stop staring at the baby elephant,so cute.

Had fun at the Cat House and watching the "ellalints" (Ava's word)

Loved riding the carousel and see how Ava measured up to the gorillas!

Me and Ava sitting in the gorilla's arms. Do you love the pajama shirt she had to wear. She told me she needed a shirt with animals since she was going to the zoo.

Ava's most favorite animals. She loves to draw peacocks and she adores elephants.

Today is St. Patrick's Day!! Play group was at our house today. So I made cookies with green frosting and let the kids have at it. They had so much fun! I love how much frosting they would put on one cookie, it was cracking me up.

Beautiful Ava. She had school today and got to wear her awesome green shirt!

Pablo Picasso He's Not.......

2010-02-25T08:11:00.000-08:00

Cash found a red crayon underneath the kitchen table, and decided that my wall was to be his canvas. Of course he had to color on my white wall and not the blue one. Oh well, its true what they say all kids are different Ava has never even thought of coloring on anything but paper.

The proud artist!!

Seriously! What else can I say.....

2010-02-09T08:21:00.000-08:00

This kid is just too cute for me to describe, we are so in love with him!

Dinosaur Museum

2010-02-03T09:21:00.001-08:00

We took the kids down to Lehi to the Dinosaur Museum. Ava has been in love with dinosaurs as of late. She loved almost everything, there is a tunnel you go through that is pitch black with stars and that scared her but once we got her to do that she was off exploring everything. Cash seemed to like it as well. He didn't want to be in the stroller so he cruised around and Dave chased after him. There was a discovery exhibit that had alot of little science experiments. Both kids loved making paper helicopters and putting them in the plastic tube and watching them fly. It was a very exciting day. i love being able to show the kids new things and to see their little faces light up with excitement and wonder it is the best!
Ava learning about prisms.

Ava had to roar like a dinosaur in almost every picture

Ava and Me in front of the Utah Raptor

Cash was exhausted at the end of the day!

HAPPY HAIR CUT!

2010-01-28T12:29:00.000-08:00

On Saturday we took all three kids to get their hair cut. It was well over due for all. At first I didn't want to cut Cash's hair because I love long hair on boys, but it was growing so uneven. So Dave finally talked me into it. As for Ava she woke up that morning and told me that she was ready to have short hair and that is what she would like. The girl knows what she wants and goes for it, I love that about her. Well, Nic was just looking so awful he goes outside to play in the fields and comes home with stickers and burrs stuck all over so he was going to go to Pet Smart. So we head over to take Nic in and they were so mean to him and not in a joking way just flat out mean that I decided we would take him somewhere else. We took the kids to a place called Cookie Cutters, they have cute cars and animals for the kids to sit in and t.v.s to sidetrack them. Ava went first choosing a pink elephant to sit on and Cinderella to watch. She told the girl exactly how she wanted it and then sat so still. Cash was so excited to sit in a blue car with a steering wheel he had a blast sitting there watching Baby Eisenstein. The lady cut his hair with clippers then finished it up with scissors. I can't believe how still Cash sat for that. So sad I don't have pictures of the actual hair cutting(batteries died!!) but it was still a very memorable day.Here's the before.

Ava's after shot. You can't tell but she cut about 5 inches off her hair.

Not a very good pic, but he never stops moving. He looks like a little boy and not a baby.

Look Who turned One!!

2010-01-11T20:16:00.000-08:00

I will admit that this past week has been so hard on me. I'll I could think about was my little boy is growing up on me! He started out so small weighing in at 6lbs 14oz. He was this tiny bundle of yumminess. The past year he has grown into a rough and tumble little man, weighing in now at 21.5 lbs with a smile that melts my heart every time he flashes it at me. It is so genuine you can just feel his happiness oozing out of him. You can't help but be in a good mood around him .He is getting smarter by the second. He says "hi", gives high fives, has six teeth, figures everything out on his own, is so close to walking, is so loving towards his sister, and idolizes his Dad, He has been the easiest baby ever. I could go on forever about him. He has truly blessed our family we Love you Cash.Cash 10 days old.

Cash supporting his team. GO UTES!!

I have this picture hanging on my wall. It is by far my favorite shot of him. Those cheeks, those eyes, that adorable forehead.

He still sleeps with ducky.

Cash at about 61/2 months learning to crawl.

Such a stud!!

CASH'S 1ST BIRTHDAY PARTY

We seriously were laughing so hard at the little man. He wasn't quite sure about his cake at first....

Then he realized it wasn't so bad

He was shoveling that cake in like there was no tomorrow. He was so serious he would lick his fingers then dig them in for some more. We could not get him to smile I think he thought I better hurry and get down to business before mom and dad realize what they are letting me do.

So sad when we took the cake away. Look at that face!!

Taken this morning. I was so tempted to wake him up at 5:51 am just to take a picture to mark the exact moment he turned one, but I didn't I waited until 7:00. So happy to be awake.

He didn't want to give me back the candy he is holding. I would ask for it but this is all that I got.

This is his sweet new ride he got for his birthday. He has spent almost every minute on this car. man I love this guy.

Happy Birthday DAVE!

2009-12-21T10:17:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Dave turned 27!! He sure was a good looking baby. He has grown into such an amazing husband, father, friend, and brother.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVE!! WE LOVE YOU

27 THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT DAVE

1. the way he gets Ava to do chores, its always a fun game

2. I love how thoughtful he is

3. the way he turns into such a softie when it comes to his kids

4. his work ethic

5. he is so good looking!

6. he is the BEST husband I could ever ask for

7. takes great care of Nic, he can teach that dog anything

8. he can fix ANYTHING and EVERYTHING

9. surprisingly a great cook

10. always helping others

11. he is a welder who is so talented the stuff he works on plus, all the cute things he makes for me.

12. he is a full time student with a 3.0 who also works 40 plus hours a week and still has time for the family. Can you say Superman.

13. the way he reads books to the kids. So funny

14. he is an incredible long border who likes to take the kids for rides

15. lets me stay at home with Thing 1 and Thing 2

16. has always put me and the kids before everything else.

17. knows all the words to every Disney Princess song

18. gets way too excited when buying Cash toys

19. The man loves cheese

20. great dance skills

21. can always make me laugh

22. his love for his parents and siblings

23. he supports me in everything I do

24. such a genuine guy

25. strongest guy in the world(Ava added that one!)

26. his confidence

27. He is my best friend who has been by my side for the past 7 years. I love you!

Ava's Christmas Concert

2009-12-18T16:26:00.000-08:00

Thursday was Ava's Christmas Concert. Wow she was awesome!! Her preschool class opened the show singing Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. Then they did the most adorable dance to There's Something Livin' in the Christmas Tree!! So cute Ava was so expressive.

Mom and Ava after the show

Lincoln and Ava. Lincoln is just about the sweetest thing ever! He brought Ava some flowers!! Love Him.

Here is a video of Ava dancing. ENJOY !!

Destruction By Cash

2009-12-16T14:30:00.001-08:00

Look at this mess!! It amazes me the mass destruction Cash can do when he is unsupervised!! Love having a boy around!

But at the end of the day he is there to help clean it all up! Love you Cash

OcToBeR FuN....

2009-10-25T19:39:00.000-07:00

October is Ava's most favorite month out of the year. I don't know if it is because her birthday is on the 14th or because of Halloween, if she had it her way we would dress up in costume all year long! Here are some highlights, and once again the pictures aren't in order, but you get the idea!

So sad to admit this but this is our first family picture since we have had Cash. Here we are all dressed up to go party at Ava's school and at the Clearfield aquatic center's BOOnanza.

Where The Wild Things Are is one of our favorite stories. Ava decided last year that Cash would be Max the king of the wild things. So thanks to Grandma Jackie and her awesome sewing skills she made this adorable costume.

Here Mermaid Ava and Koi the turtle are riding the haunted train at the aquatic center. They are so cute!!

Dave and Ava carving pumpkins. Ava loved pulling out the guts this year. Her pumpkin is a butterfly, while I carved out a witch in mine.

AVA'S BIRTHDAY!!!!

With my mom's help we made this mermaid cake for Ava's under the sea party. My mom helped plan fun games, and made the cutest invites, Thanks Mom!

Little Ava waiting for her guest to arrive

Ava was pretty spoiled this year. We went to Denver for Aunt Bonnie's baby shower and while we where there we had a birthday party. Aunt Candace found a fun corn maze to go to and she made cupcakes for the kids to decorate. It was a fun evening.

blowing out all 4 candles!

I was lucky enough to be able to go to school with Ava on her birthday and share her birthday poster with all of her classmates. Ava brought Kit Kats to share with everyone No surprise there, they are her favorite. When we got home from school the boys (Cash and Nic) had presents and a cake for their big sister.

She finally got her two wheeler!!!

Look how stinking cute she is in that helmet!! She was beyond thrilled that her bike came with a water bottle.

Corn maze in Brighton, Co. All the cousins

Jaxon cracks me up! Instead of walking on the path we would go through the rows.

Kids having fun on the tire swing

Cute Kylie on the rope swing.

Uncle Nate and Aunt Bethany set this picture up. Cash you are to delicious!!

We went down to Gardner Village to get in the Halloween mood. Ava had to her eyes painted up.

Cash and a calf at the petting zoo. The calf was so mellow he didn't even move when Cash would smack him on the nose.

Ava and calf

Lately all my pictures of the kids are like this, Ava posing because she is a fashion model so she says and Cash off in his own world studying everything.

Lunch at the Park

2009-07-28T22:09:00.000-07:00

I know I just posted this morning, but Dave had the idea of going to the park for lunch. So I made us some sandwiches and we were off to Layton Park. Our kids are so adorable!!!! We could spend all day outdoors.

Ava and Cash sharing the swing

Beautiful Ava going down the slide

Here is Cash on the swing. Don't you just want to pinch those cheeks 24/7!?! Such a chunk

Summer Fun!!! So far.....

2009-07-13T21:44:00.000-07:00

Dave and I decided we needed a night away from the kids. We dropped them off at Grandma Jack's and Grandpa Steve's house. We loaded up the four wheeler and headed up Farmington Canyon. We camped at the Bountiful Flats camp ground, we were the only ones there since it was a sunday night. We had a blast four wheeling and roasting dinner, until about 1:00 am thats when a strange car pulled up and parked Dave waited for a few mintues then went up to go see what he was doing the guy hurried and jumped in his car and sped off. Dave was all calm about it but I have seen one to many horror movies to know we better get going!Dave tried to reassure me that we would be fine but my wondering mind got the best of me. SO my wonderful hubby packed everything up in the dark and got me home safely!!

Rain, four wheeling, sunset and Dave it doesn't get any better.

We forgot our roasting sticks, so Dave being the handy man that he is cut down some baby aspen trees and widdled us some sticks.

We rode up to the top of the mountain to watch the sunset, it was gorgeous.

Beautiful Canyon

Dave setting up camp.

Ava Dave Cash swimming at Grandma Jack's neighbors pool. We went up almost everyday. The kids love the water neither one is afraid of it. At first Ava had every floatie on but she slowly started to take them off. She loved to have Dave throw her in the air, jump off the side of the pool and watch me go off the diving board. Cash loved to float around and chew on anything he could reach.

Here are me and the kids recovering after a fun Fourth of July weekend.

Rylee, Kam, and Ava getting ready to watch fireworks. Cutest girls in town.

Me and Brittany hanging out on the 4th.

Kam, Rylee, Ava

Ava. Me and Cash. Kaysville Parade

Ava waiting in line for the bouncy slide. She is so tiny she was hauling down those slides.

Ava playing with Nic before we went to the parade.

I woke up to find both kids in Cash's crib!! They were both in shock that Mom caught them!! Too cute

2009-06-29T20:29:00.000-07:00

THE PAST MONTH

This has been one crazy month. There are tons of pictures of the kids. Enjoy!!!

As many of you already know Ava had to have one of her front teeth pulled due to complications of a bad filling. I have to admit I was so nervous for her to have the tooth pulled especially since there was some crazy talk going on in the neighborhood about how she wouldn't be as cute and a bunch of other stuff, but what all those people don't know is how brave and confident Miss Ava Jae is. She totally rocks this new look. I never thought that it was possible for her to get any cuter but she just did. These were taken a few days after her surgery.

Just look at those faces!!! I have the best job in the world. I get to spend day in and day out with those adorable kids!

Ava being Ava. Such a goofball.

Ava's pre-school graduation. Yes you read that right. The little thing finished her first year of pre-school. Thanks to Miss Marsha Ava has really stepped out of her shell. She knows her ABC's, numbers, colors, and shapes and many other things. The only thing I was told to work with her on is cutting with scissors! I thought that was hilarious, I never allow her to use them she is only three!! Ava surprised us and wrote a song titled "The Spooky Song" which she sang at graduation. She has a journal that she writes all her songs in. I love that she is so creative. I have video of her performing I just don't know how to get it on here.

DENVER!!!!

The kids and I flew over to Denver for Kylie's baptism and for our yearly visit. Flying alone with one child I can handle but flying with two was a little more difficult but I managed. The first night we were in Denver we had a surprise party for Matt and Candace so much fun seeing my cousin Rachael and her son Carson(too cute for words) my Aunt Susan, Uncle Dave and Chris and most of Candace's family. Next we were off to kylie's baptism. What an awesome experience. We shopped, swam, played at Amazing Jake's for six hours!!! and survived a tornado!! Ava is now an expert on tornadoes. It scared her at first but her grandpa Tom and Uncle Matt were there to cuddle her to ease her nerves. Such a fun filled week that flew by way too fast. On the way home all three of us fell asleep for the entire flight. Thank goodness!

Grandma Carla, Ava, Cash and Grandpa Tom
It was so nice to stay with Dad and Carla. Ava loved sleeping in the "Jungle" room. It was just so much fun hanging out with those two.

Amazing Jake's

Ava & Alyssa

The 2 cutest three year olds I have ever seen!! Girls playing Dance Dance Revoultion Me, Ava and Alyssa

This ride is like the Tea Cups. I made the mistake of going on it first with Jaxon who spun us as fast as he could I was so sick, luckily the girls didn't go as crazy Ava & me on the Go-Karts.

Ava liked it at first but she got bored. She really wanted to drive.

AVA'S DANCE RECITAL

Ava's recital was held at the Perry Egyptian Theater. It was so fancy, totally perfect for our little performer. She danced to a song called "Hollywood" I was crying during the whole performance. She was amazing! Thanks to Aunt Mindee for doing Ava's hair. Look how cute.

A boy and his duck!!

This is duckie, Cash has to have him to sleep with. I layed him down and went to check on him and this is what I saw. My little man is the best.

Our newest addition

Ava named our puppy Nic. We finally found a dog for us. He is a goldendoodle. About 8 weeks old in the picture. He has been such a wonderful addition to the family. Potty training is going great. He knows his name and other commands already. He is so smart

2009-05-26T21:15:00.000-07:00

2009-05-26T14:59:00.000-07:00

AvA aVa AvA

Here are some adorable pictures of Ava. She is just the best girl in the whole world. She is 3 1/2 going on 16. Ava has the best sense of style and has an opinon about everything under the sun. * We Love you Ava!

2009-05-12T15:46:00.000-07:00

Cash is 4 months

Grandma Jackie takes the cutest pictures of the babies on her kitchen table in the natural light. These were taken on Saturday. As you can see Cash is growing new chubby rolls everyday. He is in the 70% in height measuring 25 in. 50% on weight, weighing in at 14.4 lbs. His poor head is in the 9th% The Dr isn't concerned at all as long as his soft spots don't close up to fast, which they aren't. The Dr said that Cash is just perfect (I could have told him that!) He is developing wonderfully. Cash has started to eat cereal he can't get enough of it, so today at lunch we tried some sweet potatoes he had a smile on his face from ear to ear! So as Dave always says

"He's fat and happy"

2009-04-22T20:57:00.000-07:00

CASH

Just a few updates on the little man... No more eye boogers, YEAH!!! His eyes are definitely BLUE, Sleeping through the night since seven weeks I just didn't mention it earlier didn't want to jinx it. Will talk any ones ear off if they will let him, grabbing anything he can (Ava's hair) . He is starting to like tummy time, wearing 6 month size mostly for the length, he is losing his hair on the sides, but it is still black as night in the back, his cheeks seem to get bigger everyday. Loves story time, jeep rides, Tuesdays, Thursdays because the "loud one" is at pre-school, Sunday because that's "guys day"and he loves me!! Such a mama's boy!! He makes my day when I get him out of bed in the morning just a big smile, best way to start the day. Here are some pictures of Cash smiling I worked hard to get these he is already getting suspicious about the camera. He is getting chubbier by the second. Don't you just want to squeeze him? I probably kiss his cheeks a thousand times a day. You would too!

2009-04-22T20:27:00.000-07:00

FOUR YEARS

Wow! Has is been four years already? On April ninth we celebrated our anniversary. How lucky I am to have found him and to share this wonderful life that we have created together. Dave is such an amazing guy, I love that he treats me like I am his everything, I love that no matter how busy his schedule is he always finds time to play cafe with Ava. I love how at peace he is while holding his little man. I love all that he does for our family. He is the hardest working guy I know he puts in long hours at work and school and still finds time to be with us. I remember on our wedding day, we couldn't keep our eyes off each other even the Bishop made a comment about it during the ceremony! I'm glad we still have eyes for each other four years later!! I love you Dave.

2009-04-07T15:50:00.000-07:00

ZiGgY PiGgY!!!

Poor Cash, he just got done chowing down on a 6oz bottle, which in of itself is a lot for him to eat but the poor thing just wasn't full as soon as he swallowed his last bit of formula he got this sad look on his face, you would think we never fed the guy! So we made him 1 oz thinking that would be enough but nope he wanted one more oz then he was finally full after 8oz!!! No wonder his little face is so round and plump!

2009-03-26T12:12:00.000-07:00

AVA & CASH PHOTO SHOOT

Ava 3 years Cash 6 weeks

Here are some adorable pictures of the kids. Ava cracks us up, she is so photogenic at home but as soon as we get her in front of a professional she just looks like she is in pain! It just goes to show her personality you can't make her do ANYTHING she doesn't want to do, we even tried to bribe her with a treat, she wasn't having it. She is still the most gorgeous girl with her big brown eyes every picture is so Ava.

Cash wasn't crazy about the photos either but he is a trooper. Nothing beats the naked pictures at this age!! He looks so small and delicate that won't last for very long. He is our little man who makes my heart turn into goo!! These are just some of our favorites there are more on Jacobsland.

2009-03-11T15:28:00.000-07:00

WATCH OUT LADIES HERE COMES TROUBLE

Cash Barnes, Tommy Dobson, Cooper Bruce

This picture is priceless!! The three most handsome boys around town. This was taken after Cash's blessing on March 1st. Grandpa Tom wanted a picture of all three grandsons. What a great idea. All three boys were born just a few weeks apart. We just love them!

2009-02-24T19:59:00.000-08:00

Ava the Ballerina

So I had a very emotional day, today was Ava's first day of pre-school!!! She is attending a dance academy that has academics as well. Her first hour is ballet then she is off to her pre-school. Ava was so excited to wear her ballet uniform and ballet slippers. When I dropped her off I started to get misty eyed but I didn't want her to see me cry! She gave me a big squeeze, I didn't want to let her go. But I did, she walked across the big dance studio and sat down with all the other girls. As Dave and I walked out I lost it!! It was so hard for me to let go, in my mind she is still my little baby girl but as you can tell from these adorable pictures she is growing up and ready for anything.

2009-02-24T19:42:00.000-08:00

TANKZILLA

Cash is now six weeks old!! He is weighing in at 1o pounds 5 oz and 24 inches!! We have started to call him "tankzilla" It seems just like yesterday that we had our little man. He is happy and healthy. His tear ducts are the only thing that are giving him a problem, we have to massage them everytime he eats so his eyes stay free of eye goobies. Cash is looking more and more like Dave, which makes me fall in love with him everytime I see him. Cash was having a hard time sleeping in his bed for naps, but slowly he is coming around. It is to hard for me to lay him down when he is asleep in my arms, just look how peaceful he is, you wouldn't want to let him go either!

2009-02-09T15:01:00.000-08:00

What can I say about my little cheese ball Ava? Waking up in the morning and starting my day off with her is the best thing ever. I love to listen to all of her stories about her imaginary friend 'Jeremy', her babies that kept her up all night, or just random comments about everything. She is my best friend and I would't have it any other way. I love you my little Love Bug!!

How time flies!!! Cash is four weeks old already. He started out so tiny but in these four weeks his little cheeks have sure plumped up. We couldn't have asked for a better baby. He is starting to stay up longer between feedings to show us his cute personality, which is alot like Dave's, they are both very laid back. I love both of the men in my life.

2009-02-09T08:14:00.000-08:00

Grandma Vicky cuddling Cash

Watch out Wes, Bonnie has a new man that she is in love with!!!

Aunt Bonnie was able to come over and visit us. Ava was so exited to play with Bonnie and Grandma Vicky. Grandma of course spoiled her and bought her a new princess dress, this Belle dress was the only one Ava didn't have so now her collection is complete!

2009-01-30T17:13:00.000-08:00

Grandpa Tom was finally able to come over from Colorado to see Cash. Ava had so much fun playing with Grandpa and Grandma Carla. We were so happy that they were able to stay with us in our new house!

2009-01-26T17:33:00.000-08:00

2009-01-26T17:26:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it has been two weeks since we had Cash. He is the best little boy in the world. We can't imagine not having him in our family. Ava is such a big help, if I need her to get me something she hops right to it.

My Cute Kids

2009-01-22T12:17:00.000-08:00

Ava and Cash are too cute for words. Ava loves to help out in any way she can. Cash doesn't seem to mind it, yet! So far the transition from one child to two is going pretty smooth. everyday gets a little easier.